2011-12-26, 08:30 PM
First things first: Eat ALL of the things. Cali is probably the most diverse state there is in the US, though towards San Diego it gets progressively more latino/a, which is a good reason to try Mexican food there (wfrom what I hear, it's understandably better than Bay Area Mexican food). I highly encourage you to make lots and lots of local friends cause they'll know where to go for anything an everything and I'm sure there are people who think out of state guys are really cool to have in their friend group 
I also third In-n-out burgers. That place is one of the best fast food burgers i've ever eaten. Double Double with fries and a soda <3
Also, when you get those local friends, I really encourage you to explore the city and maybe the neighboring cities too. Often times at CAL, many many people never venture out of the campus area an don't experience the culture (the food, the night life, the overall "feel" of the city) in the surrounding areas. Having a local friend to guide you is a plus so you don't get lost and stuck in tourist traps. Might as well enjoy yourself while you're not at home right?
As er the technical things, I'd probably leave most of the normal electronics at home unless you really really need them. Laptop is fairly obvious (things like this you should take). Alarm clocks aren't too necessary and things like these you can probably get cheap at the local store for like 7-10 USD. That way you can lighten what you're bringing over for cargo and also lighten the junk you have to take/ship back. If anything get a digital watch with an alarm setting or something that you'll use often that doubles as an alarm clock (i.e. iPod dock that can double as a radio/stereo/alarm clock). Walmart and Target, big chain stores, etc. will generally sell really cheap gears for dorms/college kids before school starts.
As for cultural differences, I really do encourage you to get a local friend. This way they can explain to you what slang terms mean, what words are ok to talk to people with and what actions that may seem polite to you, but are insults to other cultures (kinda like the "ok" sign meaning different things to different parts of the world). Yeah it's kinda hard to tell you cultural differences besides the fact that american food portions are probably twice the size of any other country's food. And the fact that it's illegal to drink under the age of 21 (some countries the age is 18, etc.)
I guess, tl;dr:
1. Find lots of local friends because they can take you to places where you can eat good food and have fun, tell you the in's and out's of American, SoCal culture;
2. eat everything you want/can afford and enjoy it;
3. Probably easier to buy a cheap american version of electronics and other semi-necessities;
4. Enjoy yourself by exploring the city and have a great time studying
5. bring flip flops for general wearing and showering. All the Socal people I've known have worn flip flops literally every day of school even if it's raining and pouring outside, which i found quite weird.
I also third In-n-out burgers. That place is one of the best fast food burgers i've ever eaten. Double Double with fries and a soda <3
Also, when you get those local friends, I really encourage you to explore the city and maybe the neighboring cities too. Often times at CAL, many many people never venture out of the campus area an don't experience the culture (the food, the night life, the overall "feel" of the city) in the surrounding areas. Having a local friend to guide you is a plus so you don't get lost and stuck in tourist traps. Might as well enjoy yourself while you're not at home right?
As er the technical things, I'd probably leave most of the normal electronics at home unless you really really need them. Laptop is fairly obvious (things like this you should take). Alarm clocks aren't too necessary and things like these you can probably get cheap at the local store for like 7-10 USD. That way you can lighten what you're bringing over for cargo and also lighten the junk you have to take/ship back. If anything get a digital watch with an alarm setting or something that you'll use often that doubles as an alarm clock (i.e. iPod dock that can double as a radio/stereo/alarm clock). Walmart and Target, big chain stores, etc. will generally sell really cheap gears for dorms/college kids before school starts.
As for cultural differences, I really do encourage you to get a local friend. This way they can explain to you what slang terms mean, what words are ok to talk to people with and what actions that may seem polite to you, but are insults to other cultures (kinda like the "ok" sign meaning different things to different parts of the world). Yeah it's kinda hard to tell you cultural differences besides the fact that american food portions are probably twice the size of any other country's food. And the fact that it's illegal to drink under the age of 21 (some countries the age is 18, etc.)
I guess, tl;dr:
1. Find lots of local friends because they can take you to places where you can eat good food and have fun, tell you the in's and out's of American, SoCal culture;
2. eat everything you want/can afford and enjoy it;
3. Probably easier to buy a cheap american version of electronics and other semi-necessities;
4. Enjoy yourself by exploring the city and have a great time studying
5. bring flip flops for general wearing and showering. All the Socal people I've known have worn flip flops literally every day of school even if it's raining and pouring outside, which i found quite weird.